SA Migration International

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Angolan refugees get extension

Source: The New Age, 21/11/2016

Angolan refugees, some of whom have lived in South Africa for 20
years, have about two months left to apply for permanent residence or
be deported back to their home country.

This was an order made by the Western Cape High Court after a lengthy
litigation process dating back to 2013 when the Department of Home
Affairs announced it was revoking refugee statuses as Angola was no
longer a war zone.

The department said the circumstances that recognised Angolans as
refugees no longer existed, therefore SA no longer had an obligation
to protect them.

As of that time, the Angolan refugees were given two years to work and
study in SA while preparing to go back home.

When their cessation permits were no longer valid they automatically
became illegal immigrants.

According to the Legal Resources Centre, which took the matter to
court on behalf of Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town and a number of
Angolan nationals, as part of the order, all Angolans who have held
Angolan cessation permits are now able to submit applications for
permanent residence and are exempted from paying the usual application
fee.

This was an agreement reached between the refugees and the Department
of Home Affairs.

"The negotiated settlement allows for former Angolan refugees falling
into this category to submit further documents to the Department of
Home Affairs in order to attempt to regularise their stay in SA and
apply for permanent residency," the organisation said.

Welcoming the court order, Scalabrini Centre said an entire generation
of children born to Angolan parents have grown up in SA and this was
the only country they had ever known.

"Although by now all ACP permits have expired, the police and home
affairs have agreed not to arrest, detain or deport any Angolans who
have an ACP permit. Angolans in possession of these permits are
encouraged to carry their permits and a copy of the court order with
them at all times." The deadline for applications is January 20.

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